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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 9th, 2024–Apr 10th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Kootenay Boundary, Bonnington, Grohman, Kootenay Pass, Norns, Rossland, South Okanagan, Ymir, Crawford, Moyie, St. Mary, Kokanee, Retallack, Valhalla.

Assess for wind slabs along ridges and in alpine terrain.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

A few small (size 1) dry loose avalanches were observed on Monday.

Snowpack Summary

Most parts of the region received 5 to 10 cm of new snow on Tuesday, with up to 15 cm in parts of the Selkirks. A total of 15 to 30 cm of dry snow sits atop melt-freeze layers. Several crusts may be found in the top 50 cm of snowpack, depending on aspect and elevation.

The facet/crust layer that caused large avalanches in March is buried 100 to 180 cm deep and is unlikely to trigger under the current conditions.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Mostly clear. 25 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud. 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2100 m.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with afternoon flurries and up to 2 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.

Friday

Up to 5 cm of snow overnight then cloudy with isolated flurries during the day. 10 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level 2100 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.